Articles
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-webp(85)-o(jpg).webp?token=cd5965eb698371d9b6239636bcdba686 "Electronic Employment Contracts in Armenia: How the System Works and Why No Residents Face Challenges")
Practical Tips28.03.2026Since July 1, 2025, Armenia has introduced a system of electronic employment contracts operated through the State Revenue Committee. Initially, the transition to a fully digital format was expected to become mandatory for all employers. -
-webp(85)-o(png).webp?token=9f5c69e2cb69119328c498e310cae812 "Life Without Fear of Assimilation: Ari Hadjian’s Journey Home")
Personal Stories25.03.2026I met my new protagonist, Ari Hadjian, almost ten years ago, when together with a group of like-minded people from the charitable organization "Help the Children of Armenia," we were raising funds to build a football field in the village of Nor Kyank in the Ararat region. Back then, I received a message on Facebook from Ari expressing his desire to join the project: he and his footballer friends from Argentina made a significant contribution. We also planned to meet in person — it was very important for me to see his little twin sons, Arame and Menua, who had already captured my heart. In the end, our meeting only took place eight years later at the Repat Armenia office, where we talked about his sons, architecture, repatriation, and the difficult choice between Armenia and the diaspora. -
-webp(85)-o(png).webp?token=dce66a49657284cced97b20c65f5785a "“I Took Armenia With Me and Brought It Back”: Anahit Demirjian")
Personal Stories18.03.2026At the beginning of February, an exhibition by artist Anahit Demerchyan, who had lived away from her homeland for many years, took place at the Narekatsi Art Union. For a quarter of a century, creativity was the thread that connected Anahit’s longing heart to Armenia, and it also became the solid foundation for “building” a new life in her homeland. -
-webp(85)-o(png).webp?token=b162b0840b42258e514da6b372765a3a "How to Build a Network in Armenia: Community, Career and Social Integration Tips")
Practical Tips16.03.2026Looks like you've either moved to Armenia, or are about to! And you're probably thinking about something many people think about: how to build a network in Armenia. Nowadays, it's all about people and the relationships we build for both professional and social integration. Whether you're a repatriate, an expat starting a new job, or an entrepreneur entering the market, you need some sort of connective tissue. -
-webp(85)-o(png).webp?token=5050fe31500f8c3b8415ac7b5324098d "10 things to do while moving to Armenia from Bulgaria")
Opinions13.03.2026A practical guide for Bulgarian Armenians moving to Armenia. Real insights on jobs, housing, residency, integration, and adjusting to life in Armenia after Bulgaria. -
-webp(85)-o(jpg).webp?token=9730c967735765f562571472121eac84 "Transformation Through Repatriation: The Journey of Anush Zeinalian and OCHRE")
Engage Armenia10.03.2026What model could allow an artistic organization to remain financially stable through commercial activities while integrating artistic objects into everyday life? The answer - and later the result of its practical implementation - became the OCHRE project by repatriate Anush Zeynalyan. Anush is a museologist by education. She was born and spent most of her life in Moscow, worked in the field of contemporary art on international projects, engaged in fundraising, and immediately before relocating headed the development department of the National Centre for Contemporary Arts. Anush moved to Armenia to develop a foundation supporting contemporary artists, and now works on developing the creative enterprise OCHRE. -
-webp(85)-o(png).webp?token=4a7196347337e97ccc738a06fad92952 "Repats Without Restraints - 12 Questions with Serine Petrossian")
Personal Stories27.02.2026Have you seen the “Thank You” music video by Dido with the cute little house in the middle of two giant corporate buildings? That’s what 12 Tables always reminds me of. Located on 6 Alexander Spendiaryan street in the heart of Yerevan, this little family-run business has a somewhat unassuming feel to it. It’s one of those places that you want to keep as a secret, but also can’t wait to rave about. Walking in, you’ll find yourself pleased with a fully “homey” atmosphere, from the DIY interior design to the smell of delicious food that takes one straight back to mum’s. In a city of corporate restaurants, bars, and cafes, 12 Tables feels like a warm hug. A lot of that has to do with the current owner, Serine Petrossian, a repatriate from Iran who acquired and has been running the place for a little over 5 years. We sat down in one of the coziest corners of 12 Tables for a round of 12 questions, sipping tea and coffee along the way. -
-webp(85)-o(png).webp?token=a6f8b98f91ccb6cba1f501ee5e7497ce "Arriving in Armenia: How to Exchange Money at Zvartnots Airport Without Overpaying")
Practical Tips25.02.2026If you’re moving to Armenia or planning a longer stay, one of the first practical questions comes up as soon as you land: where should you exchange money – and how much do you actually need right away? Even if you have a bank card, having a small amount of Armenian drams in cash on your first day can be useful – for transportation, small purchases, or unexpected expenses. Below is a clear, practical guide to help you avoid overpaying during your first hours in the country. What Currency Should You Bring to Armenia? -
-webp(85)-o(png).webp?token=22bd289ed9855e69b49e59a182999f90 "To Frankfurt and Back Again: Returning to Armenia")
Personal Stories23.02.2026I first met Shushanik (last name withheld at her request) at the Old Tatev guesthouse. We struck up a conversation during breakfast with the rest of the guests, and it turned out she wasn’t that far from home. “I grew up in Tatev and Goris, but my parents grew up in Tandzatap. You can actually see it from the monastery.” Tandzatap is a very small village located in the Tatev municipality that houses a little over 100 people. When you walk through its narrow pathways, it feels like any other small Armenian village, a place that feels more remembered than maintained. -
-webp(85)-o(png).webp?token=b8e08c40b826e230a578b38678a95aba "Repats Without Restraints - Candid with Ara Yeramian (Part 2)")
Personal Stories11.02.2026As mentioned in the first part of this in-depth interview, Ara delved into a lot of nuances when answering the questions. But then again, that’s what made things interesting. I just couldn’t bear leaving anything out and I suggested that we split the entire thing into two parts. Luckily for me, Ara agreed. And without further adieu, here’s part 2 of getting candid with Ara Yeramian! -
-webp(85)-o(png).webp?token=aa7fd532ccac28c0bb5df6fc5f27b20d "Understanding Armenia’s Labor Law - A Practical Guide for Repats - Part 1")
Professional Insights10.02.2026This guide and its series of articles are based on the Employment Bootcamp held at Repat Armenia on December 2025, as well as materials prepared by Mary Grigoryan, Partner at MB Legal (labor, migration, corporate, and business law), and Alina Danielyan, Junior Lawyer at MB Legal (labor, migration, and corporate law). It is intended for repats and foreign professionals in Armenia who need clarity instead of complicated legal jargon. -
-webp(85)-o(png).webp?token=b84994dc86868a58b48541d59507171c "Healing, Crying, and Rejoicing in Her Homeland: The Journey of Serine Kazaryan")
Personal Stories09.02.2026What does it take to decide on repatriation after many years of life and professional success in the diaspora? How do you choose between stability and what your heart desires? What kind of development in Armenia’s healthcare system can be initiated by highly qualified specialists moving to Armenia, and what limitations do they face here? The long professional and life journey of Serine Kazaryan is a living guide to these questions… -
Personal Stories04.02.2026To me, Ara is one of those “Yes! I totally agree with you!” repats. We meet in person once in a blue moon, usually over burgers and beer, and end up talking about all things Armenia-related. And for the most part, we’re on the same page. Ara already sat down with Repat Armenia for another article, but I decided to take a different approach this time around. I wanted this interview to be more candid, really bringing out Ara’s wit and wisdom that, if given the right platform, can amount to big changes. We ended up chatting over 14 questions, and Ara went into the smallest details. To make the whole interview easier to process, we’ve split it into two parts. Here’s the first part of getting candid with Ara Yeramian.
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-webp(85)-o(png).webp?token=7c5505b9259def5f8f5b97a75031e918 "Is It Possible to Open a Bank Card in Armenia Remotely if You Are a Non-Resident?")
Practical Tips02.02.2026Can a bank card be issued remotely? Armenia remains one of the most convenient countries for non-residents who want to open a bank account and use international payment systems. The local banking system is considered stable: fees are moderate, online services are developing rapidly, and mobile banking is available 24/7. At the same time, there is an important requirement that non-residents should be aware of in advance: the first visit to a bank must be in person. Even if a bank’s website includes sections such as “For Non-Residents” or buttons like “Open Account Online”, these do not replace mandatory in-person identification. This is a legal requirement, and banks cannot bypass it. -
-webp(85)-o(png).webp?token=18ec135767d9b249361ea68dc589256c "Making the World Better, Starting with Armenia: Arshak Ulubabyan")
Personal Stories30.01.2026Preface Over two years of working at Repat Armenia, I have had the privilege of meeting many repatriates, and through them – encountering very different attitudes toward Armenia and plans for it. Some repatriated because only here they feel truly at home, some – because in Armenia one can step out of the constant race and feel the pulse of life, others – because the mountains call. And so on. For Arshak Ulubabyan, who lives with the idea of making the world a better place, Armenia turned out to be the most fitting place to implement these ideas.
